NFL Playoffs 2012: Players Who Will Ravage Opponents

It truly is the best time of the year in sports if you are a football fan. NFL Wild Card Weekend begins on Saturday and there are players ready to ravage the competition. If they can make it through the weekend, expect these three players to continue rolling in the 2011-12 NFL postseason.

Drew Brees

This one is easy, I know. Actually, we are talking about the NFL so nothing is guaranteed, but the NFL all-time leading passer with 5,476 yards passing has all the makings of a wonderful postseason.

His first0round affair features a defense that just gave up 480 yards and six touchdown passes to Green Bay Packers backup quarterback Matt Flynn.

What on earth will Brees be able to do against the Detroit Lions if a backup torched them?

I would imagine the Lions will show some pride early in the game by stopping Brees now and again, but it won’t manage throughout the whole first half.

The winner of this game will score at least 35 points, so expect an epic Wild Card shootout on Saturday night.

Brees has tossed for 46 touchdowns compared to 14 interceptions. Only six of his 14 interceptions have come in the friendly confines of Mercedes-Benz Superdome.

If New Orleans does edge Detroit, the Saints will have to go to San Francisco to play the 49ers in the divisional round. They have the best defense in the league, but they rank No. 16 against the pass, which is mediocre.

If the Saints win, they would play an NFC Championship Game against the Packers, New York Giants or Atlanta Falcons. All three are teams Brees already lit up this season, passing for at least three touchdowns in each matchup en route to 11 touchdowns compared to two interceptions.

Brees is destined for a humongous postseason.  

Antonio Brown

The Pittsburgh Steelers proved once again why they are one of the best operated franchises in the NFL. They gave Santonio Holmes his opportunity in Pittsburgh, but as soon as he ran dry they shipped him out of town for a low draft pick.

Who would fill the void of his production?

Antonio Brown, a sixth-round draft choice, has been unbelievable this season. He has been equal to Holmes in terms of season production.

Now it’s time to equal what Holmes did for the Steelers in the postseason. We all know about his catch in the Super Bowl and his Super Bowl MVP, but what Holmes did for the Steelers was make a big play when they needed one.

Brown has done that this season. Last season he was a receiver that would primarily come in on third down, but now he is the receiver targeted the most by Ben Roethlisberger. He was targeted 123 times on the season, 10 more than leading yards and touchdowns receiver Mike Wallace.

Wallace is the No. 1 wide receiver for the Steelers, but his game is still limited to a deep-threat role. He’s getting better on the underneath routes, but Brown is a better complete receiver.

He is a Pro Bowl player this season as a return man, but his numbers are equally as impressive. He has caught 69 passes for 1,108 yards and two touchdowns. Brown has tallied 18 20-or-more completions in 2011.

Wallace’s deep-threat capabilities are primary goal No. 1 for defenses to stop when facing the Steelers. Brown has been the biggest benefactor.

If the Steelers go deep into the postseason Brown will be a major part of the offense. If you don’t know his name by now, you will when the postseason concludes.

Jimmy Graham

Drew Brees has many weapons in his arsenal and he loves to take care of all of them. However, his No. 1 weapon this season has been tight end Jimmy Graham, and boy has he pampered him.

Graham has caught 99 passes for 1,310 yards and 11 touchdowns. He leads the Saints in each category.

The Detroit Lions have a horrific defense that is 22nd against the pass and 23rd against the rush. They are allowing more than 350 yards per game.

Graham is a mismatch for any team because of his combination of size and athleticism. At 6’6” and 260 pounds, he is not only a physical tight end but also an athletic tight end.

Nobody on the Lions defense will match up with Graham. If the Saints move and play the San Francisco 49ers, the 49ers' average pass defense won’t be able to stop Graham—it will just hope to contain him.

The same can be said about whichever team they would play next if the Saints made it that far.

Graham is a force of nature. His size and strength is one thing, but his athleticism is what makes him one of the best tight ends in the NFL. Expect a big postseason for the Saints' leading receiver.